PL Artists > Lisa Lan

WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE WHEN YOU WERE A KID
The next Neil Buchanan from ‘Art Attack’ or a radio DJ. Then I realised that public speaking was terrifying and really I just liked drawing things for friends at school and making playlists. Though I still have dreams of being that old lady that paints all day and owns too many cats.

FAVOURITE MEDIUMS TO USE
Pencil, it’s the most accessible medium to use and the easiest to learn with when you’re just starting out.

I love getting my hands dirty and creating artwork traditionally, but I also love combining it with the versatility and endless possibilities of digital art tools. Digital art is often pitted against traditional art as being a ‘quick and easy’ replacement, but I disagree, they both have their pros and cons, however they both require skill and patience, most digital techniques are built upon fundamental traditional techniques and both can be used harmoniously to create expressive contemporary artworks.

MOST MEMORABLE CREATIVE MOMENT
When I first found the courage to post my work online and received my first flurry of positive feedback. I got a special message from a girl living in another part of the world telling me that I had inspired her to pick up drawing again, That was not only heartwarming but very encouraging.

BEST PIECE OF CREATIVE INDUSTRY ADVICE
Being new to the creative industry I found the most helpful and repeated advice given to me was to work on producing consistent high quality work, stick to deadlines and be great to work with.

I’ll admit I’m a top class procrastinator, you can tell by how clean my room is, but I’m happily finding that the best way to stay productive and get over an artistic block is to draw/paint anything everyday, don’t wait to ‘get in the mood’ or for inspiration to come, just pick up a pencil and do it and get into the habit of doing it.

You can’t rely on raw talent to bring success, it’s practice that makes perfect, as well as time, passionate dedication, and networking. I strongly believe in sharing your work online, taking part in competitions, such as this one, talking to gallery owners and generally putting yourself out there and connecting with potential clients and fellow artists. Fear of having your work stolen online is understandable but it’s unavoidable, but the incredible opportunities you can gain from exposing your work on art related websites outweighs any negatives. You can’t progress, gain criticism, or improve your work unless you share it.

FAVOURITE ILLUSTRATORS
Audrey Kawasaki, Sam Spratt, McBess, Alphonse Mucha, James Jean, and Arthur Rackham, to name a few. I admire and love the work of so many for many different reasons.

FAVOURITE PIECE OF WORK TO DATE
Has to be from my ‘Mosaic Girls’ series, the first serious series of pieces I made and posted online back in 2012, ‘2face’, ‘Copper’, ‘Pebble’, and ‘Lepidoptera’, the ones that started it all.

FANTASY BRIEF
“You’ll be living in a space station for a couple weeks, have a series of artworks completed by the end of your stay, and enjoy that view of Earth.”

WHERE YOU THINK YOU’LL BE IN 20 YEARS
I’ll be 41, that’s both frightening and exciting. Hopefully I’ll still be making a living from my art and people will have stopped mistaking me for a 14 year old that needs ID to buy superglue.

WHAT YOU THINK YOU MIGHT DO FOR THE VALENTINE ART SHOW?
My usual mix of realism and whimsical surrealism with a new twist, using traditional and digital mediums to create something flirty yet melancholy.